Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma (Print Version)
Slow cooker chicken shawarma packed with warm spices. An easy, hands-off family dinner ready with minimal effort.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 360 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 375 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Dietary: Halal
# Ingredients:
→ Tender Slow-Cooked Chicken
01 -
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
02 -
1/4 cup plain whole-milk yogurt
03 -
3 tbsp olive oil
04 -
3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
→ Warm Shawarma Spice Blend
05 -
2 tsp ground cumin
06 -
2 tsp smoked paprika
07 -
1 tsp ground turmeric
08 -
1 tsp ground coriander
09 -
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
10 -
1/2 tsp ground cardamom
11 -
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
12 -
Salt and pepper to taste
→ Aromatic Base & Flavor Builders
13 -
6 garlic cloves, minced
14 -
1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
→ Creamy Garlic Tahini Drizzle
15 -
1/4 cup tahini
16 -
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
17 -
2 tbsp warm water
18 -
1 garlic clove, minced
# Instructions:
01 -
In a small bowl, combine 2 tsp ground cumin, 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp ground turmeric, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground cardamom, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Stir until evenly combined and set aside.
02 -
In a large bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup plain whole-milk yogurt, 3 tbsp olive oil, 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice, and 6 minced garlic cloves. Add your entire shawarma spice blend and mix well. This yogurt-based marinade is the secret to incredibly tender Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma.
03 -
Add 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs to the marinade bowl and toss until every piece is thoroughly coated. For the best Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma | Easy Family Dinner, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight to deepen the flavors.
04 -
Spread 1 large thinly sliced yellow onion evenly across the bottom of your slow cooker insert. This aromatic base prevents sticking and infuses the chicken with incredible sweetness and depth as it slow-cooks over several hours.
05 -
Arrange the marinated chicken thighs in a single layer over the onion bed, pouring any remaining marinade on top. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours. Your Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma | Easy Family Dinner is ready when the chicken is fall-apart tender and deeply fragrant.
06 -
Using two forks, shred the cooked chicken thighs directly in the slow cooker, stirring to combine with the caramelized onions and flavorful juices. For the best Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma | Easy Family Dinner, let it rest uncovered for 5 minutes so the meat absorbs all the pan juices.
07 -
In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup tahini, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 2 tbsp warm water, and 1 minced garlic clove until silky smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add warm water one teaspoon at a time until you reach a pourable, creamy consistency.
08 -
Pile the shredded shawarma chicken onto warm pita bread or over rice. Drizzle generously with the creamy garlic tahini sauce and top with fresh vegetables of your choice. This Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma | Easy Family Dinner serves 6 and is guaranteed to impress the whole table.
# Notes:
01 -
💡 Make-Ahead Tip: Marinate the chicken thighs the night before and store them covered in the refrigerator. This extra marinating time dramatically deepens the shawarma spice flavors and makes your morning prep effortless — just layer and cook!
02 -
🧊 Storage Advice: Store leftover shredded chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze in portions for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of water or chicken broth to keep the meat moist and juicy.
03 -
🔄 Substitution Tip: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts can replace chicken thighs, but reduce the cook time to 4–5 hours on LOW to prevent dryness. You can also swap plain whole-milk yogurt for full-fat coconut yogurt to make this recipe dairy-free without sacrificing tenderness.
04 -
🍽️ Serving Suggestion: Serve this shawarma over fluffy basmati rice, tucked into warm pita wraps, or on top of a crisp salad with cucumber, tomatoes, and pickled red onions. The creamy garlic tahini drizzle pairs beautifully with all three options for a complete, crowd-pleasing meal.
# Tools You'll Need:
01 -
6-quart slow cooker
02 -
mixing bowls
03 -
measuring cups and spoons
04 -
cutting board
05 -
chef's knife
06 -
citrus juicer
07 -
serving tongs
# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Calories: 390 kcal
Total Fat: 22 g
Total Carbohydrate: 9 g
Protein: 38 g